What is there to know about this Buddha?

June 13, 2013 2:13 PM

An acquaintance found this Buddha figurine many years ago in a junk shop and has wondered about its origin and what type of figurine it is.

Images: 1 2 3 4 5

It is about 11 inches tall. Googling tells me that the chubby Buddha represents wealth or luck, but is there anything else to know about this one? Other signs on it which give meaning? The way it was carved? Age?

Any info would be great. Thanks!

posted by klausman to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Usually chubby "Buddhas" are actually representations of Budai.
posted by selfnoise at 2:31 PM on June 13, 2013 [5 favorites]

Have you looked at the bottom of it?
Does it have any identify marks?

I tried to find it, but no luck, I swear I saw one on Antiques Roadshow some years back that was way way older than the people thought-and was worth a huge penny.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 2:37 PM on June 13, 2013

I would guess Budai also, if only because he's not sitting in the cross-legged or reclining position you tend to see Buddhas in, but in a sort of propped-leg position. Also because his expression is more jolly than serene. But I have no expertise whatsoever.
posted by emjaybee at 2:38 PM on June 13, 2013 [1 favorite]

From what I have read, this is usually confused with Buddha (as in Shakyamuni Buddha of Buddhism) and has no connection to that. Instead it is a wealth/luck statue that has its history in Chinese lore. The sitting pose is very similiar to what I saw on this blog.
posted by pakora1 at 2:52 PM on June 13, 2013

he's not sitting in the cross-legged or reclining position you tend to see Buddhas in, but in a sort of propped-leg position

There are various depictions of Buddha in that very position but I agree that this is more likely to be Budai.
posted by elizardbits at 3:08 PM on June 13, 2013

Rather like this one, which is tourist art.
posted by Ideefixe at 3:51 PM on June 13, 2013

I would also guess tourist art, because the quality of the carving, though expressive, is not especially fine.
posted by Miko at 7:43 PM on June 13, 2013